What to do and what to do when your suitcase password lock won't open

What should you do if the password lock on your suitcase won't open while you're traveling? This blog will show you some ways to deal with such situations.

Suitcase lock types

Keyed suitcases <br>There are suitcases that can be opened and closed with a key. Most of these locks use jagged keys such as pin cylinders, which have low security, so they can be opened by picking the lock.

TSA lock
A TSA lock is a lock approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and has TSA stamped on the keyhole. At airports in the United States, TSA officers inspect checked baggage when traveling or departing. Therefore, suitcases must be left unlocked when checked in to allow for baggage inspection. However, if the suitcase has a TSA lock, TSA officers can use a picking tool to open the lock, so it can be checked in as luggage even if it is locked.

Dial Type <br>This suitcase can be locked and opened by entering a dial number. The dial is set by rotating the alphanumeric dial, which requires a 3-4 digit number. Because it has only a small number of digits, it can be opened by trying every possible number, but it also requires more effort to open, which is effective in preventing theft.

If your suitcase won't open, don't panic, just stay calm. There are four main ways to open it.

1. Open it yourself
2. Contact the manufacturer
3. Call a locksmith
4. Use repair services while traveling

Let's take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of each method, as well as some points to note.

Solution 1 | How to open your suitcase yourself

If you can't open it because you've lost your key or don't know the combination, there's a good chance you can open it yourself using the methods introduced in this article. However, if you have a malfunction and can't open it, please note that you will likely need to consult a locksmith.

How to open a zippered suitcase

If your suitcase has a zipper, you can use a ballpoint pen to open it without unlocking it. However, there is a high chance that opening the zipper this way will break the zipper, so you should be prepared to break your suitcase. Also, since you are not opening the lock, the lock will remain closed.

The actual steps are shown in the image below:

1. Move the slider to the very edge First, move the slider (the part you hold when opening and closing the zipper) to the very edge.

2. Insert a ballpoint pen into the element. Insert a ballpoint pen into the element (the zipper part) away from the slider.

3. Insert your finger to open the case. Once you have inserted the ballpoint pen, insert your finger to expand the element.

It opens easily without much force.

4. Move the slider to the opposite end. If you leave it as it is, the zipper will not close properly, so once you have finished removing your belongings, move the slider to the opposite end.

Slide the slider to the opposite side to close the zipper and return it to its original position.

How to unlock a suitcase with a number key

If the slider is locked and cannot be moved, the ballpoint pen technique cannot be used.
The number keys are often set to "000" or "0000" by default.
Try changing it to "000" or "0000" and see if it opens.

If unfortunately it doesn't open, it will require a bit of skill, but try the method below.

Simple Password Lock <br>This type of password lock has a small groove underneath the numbers. To find the groove, it's helpful to have a flashlight or the light on your smartphone handy. Once you've found it, follow these steps to open it:

1. Align the grooves in the same direction

2. Rotate the numbers in the same direction, increasing the three numbers by one digit at a time.

3. If it doesn't open, try again. This method should open the lock after turning it a maximum of nine times. However, this method only works for simple password locks. It doesn't work for pinhole or customs password locks.

Cylinder Password Locks <br>This type of password lock has a small hole next to the numbers. You can see the internal structure through the hole. You will still need a flashlight or the light from your smartphone to find the grooves or indentations visible through the hole. Once you have found them, you can open it by following these steps:

1. Look at the cylinder part through the gap in the dial

The silver part in the photo is the cylinder.
Look at this silver cylinder part to determine the lock number.
If the cylinder is difficult to see, inserting a thin flathead screwdriver into the gap will make it easier to see.

2. Look for dents in the cylinder

It's hard to see in the photo, but there is a dent in the cylinder.

It's easier to see if you use a smartphone light or similar to illuminate the area while you work.

When you see the indentation, that's the lock number.

Once you find the lock number, move on to the next number.

3. Look for dents on other cylinders. Just like before, look for the numbers on the other cylinders using the same procedure.

4. Check if the lock opens. Once you have all the dial cylinders, check if the lock opens.

5. If it doesn't open, move the dial up one by one. If the lock won't open, move the dial up one by one.

example))
If the cylinders are aligned with "509" and it doesn't open, try "610," "721," "832," etc.

If you can't see the cylinder

If it is dark or you have poor eyesight and cannot see the cylinder, try inserting a thin, hard object such as the blade of a sword into the gap in the cylinder.

If you feel a dent in the cylinder, that's your clue.
The feel is delicate so you need to be careful.

Unfortunately, however, there are some suitcases with number keys that have no gaps through which the cylinder can be seen and which the blade of a cutter cannot fit through.
In that case, you need to try all the numbers.

For a three-digit number key, there are 1,000 possibilities from "000" to "999," and for a four-digit key, there are 10,000 possibilities.
A three-digit code can be opened within an hour, but a four-digit code takes three to four hours.

In this case, the quickest solution would be to contact the manufacturer you purchased the lock from or a lock expert.

Customs password lock

This type of password lock has a keyhole on the top. This keyhole can be opened by customs. Customs may use this key to open the lock to check for illegal or dangerous items in your luggage. In doing so, there is a chance that the lock may be broken or the password may be changed. If this happens, there are several ways to deal with the situation.

• Contact a customs official
• Borrow a key from a customs officer to open it
• Request repair or replacement from a customs official

However, these solutions must be done at customs. If you notice the problem after you have left customs, you will have to repair it yourself or buy a new lock. Also, these solutions only apply to customs password locks. They do not work on simple password locks or password locks with a small hole.

How to unlock a suitcase with a TSA key lock

It is useful to have curved tweezers when removing the TSA, but if you don't have any, a hairpin will do.

1. Insert a pin or other wire into the keyhole and push down on the pin-like object visible through the keyhole, while applying force to the wire in the direction of rotation of the cylinder.

2. Use your hand to push up the invisible pin at the back of the keyhole that pushes up the upper cylinder.
It feels like I suddenly feel lighter.
There are multiple pins in the invisible part, so be patient and push them up one by one.

3. Once all the pins have been pushed up, turn the cylinder.

An experienced person can unlock it in about two minutes, but it's a little difficult for an amateur.
There have also been cases where the situation has worsened due to the wire accidentally breaking inside the cylinder.
We recommend that you contact the manufacturer or ask a locksmith if possible.

If a foreign object gets stuck in the lock

If there is a foreign object stuck in the lock's hole or slot, first try removing it with a thin pin or needle. However, prying or pulling the object forcefully could break or damage the lock. Therefore, if you are unable to remove it yourself, we recommend calling a professional lock repair or locksmith.

Things to note when opening your suitcase lock yourself

These methods should only be used in an emergency and are likely to damage or destroy your locks or suitcase. Don't try them out of curiosity.

If you are not confident or it will take too long, we recommend that you ask the manufacturer or a locksmith, who can open the lock quickly and cheaply.

Solution 2: Contact the manufacturer

If you find it difficult to open it yourself or if you have a few days before your trip, you can contact the suitcase manufacturer and have them handle the problem.

In this case, depending on the manufacturer, you may be charged for the unlocking service as part of the repair.

Therefore, when requesting a service from a manufacturer, it is a good idea to check in advance how much it will cost to open the lock.

Also, some manufacturers offer suitcase rentals, so it might be worth checking.

Solution 3: Call a locksmith

If you have trouble with your keys, the quickest and most reliable way to open the lock is to consult a locksmith who is knowledgeable about keys.
Locksmiths deal with and solve a variety of lock problems every day.
The cost of a professional locksmith to open a lock is estimated to be around 5,000 to 10,000 yen.

The advantage of this method is that you can open the suitcase quickly and without any hassle yourself, and a locksmith can almost always open the lock, regardless of the type of suitcase or lock.

The disadvantage is that it costs money. Also, if you ask a locksmith, you will need to prove that you are the owner of the suitcase. It is a good idea to have your ID or proof of purchase ready.

Solution 4: Use a repair service while traveling

If your suitcase won't open while you're traveling, check whether the airport or hotel has a repair service. At the repair service, you can request the creation of a duplicate key, replacement of the key, or unlocking.

The advantage of this method is that it may be possible to easily solve the problem locally. The disadvantage is that repair services may not be available. Depending on the airport or hotel, repair services may not exist or may have limited opening hours. In that case, you will need to contact a locksmith.

So that's what to do if your suitcase password lock won't open. To avoid this kind of trouble while traveling, we recommend taking the following precautions.

• Make a note of your password so you don't forget it
• Make your password difficult to guess
• Check the lock status periodically
• Don't put valuables in your luggage

We hope that these tips will help you reduce the amount of trouble you may have with your suitcase while traveling. We hope that your trip will be enjoyable and comfortable.

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